A Place Where Fiction And Faith Meet

Don’t Shy Away From You

Chameleons do it. So do wallflowers. Stick bugs even do it. Each blends in with the environment around them so as not to be noticed. Some use it as a defensive tactic. Others use it simply because they want to be left alone.

But in today’s social environment, does it benefit us to blend in with our surroundings?

I struggle with this on a daily basis. I’ve been struggling with it for most of my adolescence. I don’t want to be noticed. I don’t want to be called out. I want to blend in. I want to hide. I want to be just like everyone else so nobody will find anything to pick out about me.

Some of that comes from the constant bullying I went through in junior high and high school. Some of that comes from the hostility I see toward different opinions on social media. Some of it comes from the lack of acceptance within family and friend circles when a ‘weird’ side of me shows up.

I would really rather just blend into the background. Do my own thing. Not be noticed.

But is that really what’s best? Do we contribute anything to society by blending in, by muting our unique voices? Do we do a service or disservice to ourselves when we aren’t who God made us to be?

So what if I’m wacky at times and deeply philosophical at others. Why must I be one or the other all the time?

So what if I love to have friends around and at the same time love to be alone?

So what if I listen to 90’s pop, today’s electronica, and last year’s worship music?

There is so much that makes each of us unique. And by blending in, we’re starving those around us – and the world – of our uniqueness.

We all have unique characteristics. We all have unique points of view. We all have unique thoughts and beliefs. We all have unique dreams and aspirations. We even have unique fears and anxieties.

Let’s share all of this with those we come across. Don’t shy away from you.

Thank you very much for posting your post.
Mr Midnight, Sir Winston and myself from our blog “Gilmours Nice Place” say that “not shying away from oneself” requires that one knows WHO WE REALLY ARE.
The masses appear to conveniently “run along” with one another and any possibility of discovering ones genuine real self seems to be dumped through of lack of time or because of fear of discovering OUR TRUTHS.
Sir Winston also finds that many people appear to have lost their manners and behave appallingly, often forgetting the one thing they demand themselves – namely that of RESPECT.
Meow, purr purr and kind regards from my two furry friends and myself. 🙂